Blackrock Mercenaries

Daylight did nothing to help the gaudy nature of the house, and in fact, worsened it. Details of the statues that stood outside, such as the way they all clearly reflected the same man, were now in stark relief. I slowed as we approached, and simply marvelled at the sight of it.

"He thinks highly of himself, doesn't he?" I muttered, which earned me a chuckle from Penny.

As we moved closer, I spotted that this time he had guards on his door. Two people, a man and a woman, both bald and dressed in a similar style of leather armor. They clutched spears, and watched us with the sort of wary look I expected from people whose job was to experience the wilderness. It wasn't quite twitchy, but it was far more acute than those who manned thick walls.

In sync, they stepped towards us, meeting us halfway to the door. I gave them another once over, and noticed they had the same sharp cheekbones, dark blue eyes, and their noses both turned up at the end. If they weren't fraternal twins, they were siblings of some kind.

Neither smiled, nor did they let go of their spears. From the way they glanced at me, to Rita, and then back, it was clear what opinion they were forming. That was fine with me. I gave them a thin smile, the type reserved for the hired help.

"Good morning. You two wouldn't happen to know if a Mr. Linsin lives here, would you?"

The woman answered, her voice sweet and bubbly, a rather stark contrast to her appearance. "Depends, yeah? Why do you want to know? Boss doesn't like being disturbed for no reason, ya know?"

"I do know." Neither seemed to appreciate my words, so I simply moved on. "But I'm here on behalf of Mr. Callahan. He wishes to discuss some contract matters."

"You're here for business?" The man asked, southern drawl lighter than his sisters.

"That would be the case."

They looked at each other, jaws and eyes twitching. The silent conversation went on longer than I would have liked, but they eventually turned back to me. It was the man who spoke, his grip loosening a touch on his spear as he did.

"We can check if he's free, but no promises." He cleared his throat and gestured to me. "Who should we say wants to see him?"

My smile was fixed. "Chad Burling, and the blackrock Mercenary Company."

Another silent discussion passed between them, before the woman darted off. With slow steps, the man backed up, until once again he was resting his back against the wall. He watched us with a steady gaze, not hostile, but not particularly curious. The perfect guard in a way. Clearly capable, but not willing to stick his nose into anything that wasn't his business.

"Would you mind if I asked you something?" I watched him, my free hand slipping into a pocket. "You recently got back from a run, correct?"

"Yes."

"You wouldn't have heard of some noble running around would you?"

He snorted, and then spat, his feelings clear. "Yeah, we've heard. He's held up in Netterville. Thinks he's going to find the legendary sea serpent that destroyed Leyloon. Idiot."

"Netterville?" I asked, but it was Sasha who answered.

"A fishing village," she said. "South East of here. It's small, but they deal with people fairly. Penny and I have visited it before."

Penny beamed. "Remember that guy I was telling you about? The last one who got a dose of my special lipstick? That was in Netterville. They love us there."

"How many day's travel is it?" I turned, and Penny shrugged.

"About a week if we go direct, longer if we don't."

Curiosity prickled at me. "Any reason we wouldn't?"

"Money." She grinned. "We can hit more towns and villages if we go wide. More chances for jobs, and more chances for fun!"

"But if we dawdle, he might leave before we get there," I pointed out.

Penny frowned, and looked at Rita. "Pllleeeeese can we go the long route?"

"No." Rita held up a hand to forestall Penny's complaining. "But we can on the way back if we aren't pressed for time."

"Fiiiine," Penny's tail dropped and she folded her arms.

I held back a sigh. A week of travel wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but we also did need money and this was our best bet. If we were lucky, we might be able to run into a few more situations that would get our names out there. My gaze flicked to Rita. Though, considering her bounty, maybe we didn't need to market too much.

Not long after the woman had vanished, she reappeared, and took up a spot next to what I felt had to be her brother. She waved us forward, directing our attention to an older man wearing a suit similar to the one I had before I lost my jacket. He bowed to us, showing his servant status, before he beckoned us closer. When I gave him the typical three-fingered wave, he returned it.

"Mr. Burling, Miss. Thrumlin, Miss. Flint, Miss. Leed. If you would follow me to the masters study?"

I glanced between Penny and Sasha, realising this was the first time I had heard their last names. Penny Flint, and Sasha Leed. It wasn't important, but it was nice to know. We followed the man up the stairs, and I tried not to show that I knew the way already. The butler knocked twice, and a reedy voice called out.

"Come in!"

The butler opened the door, and I gave him a smile, before I walked into the room. It hadn't changed since the last time I was there, except for the fact there was now a man sitting behind the desk. He was a small, rat faced man, his long bald tail and rat ears at odds with his suit. A use of my skill told me it was easily over fifteen gold. Not the most expensive piece of clothing I had seen, but it would have been respectable amongst the capital's middle set of merchants.

"Mr. Linsin," I said, holding out a hand. "A pleasure."

He didn't take it, instead he leaned back, his tail flicking against the top of his deck. On the wall, the clocks continued to tick soundlessly, the enchantment still in place. After a second, I put my hand down and sighed. If he was going to be like this, then I would bypass the civilities.

It didn't take long for me to shuffle through the papers I held until I found the one I needed. The note from the mayor slapped against the table, alongside the new contract I had drawn up on Callahan's behalf. He glanced down at them as I spoke.

"You'll be signing a new contract with Callahan. We know you're ripping him off. The top sheet is the Mayors agreement with the new ideas. As soon as we have your signature, we'll be on our way."

"And why should I?" He glanced up at me, his rose-coloured eyes watching me with interest.

"Pardon?"

"Why should I sign it?" Mr. Linsen shrugged, and his suit crinkled. "You haven't bothered to tell me that."

"Because we know you're bribing the Mayor."

The words earned me a snort. "I'm a business man. So are you by the looks of it. You can't think that's surprising."

"I don't." He seemed pleased by my nod. "Politics and business work together all the time. But what you're paying Callahan is a pittance. You and I both know it. He's asking for six gold, total, per month. With what you're earning, that's still far below what he's worth."

"The joy of small towns." His words held a scathing tone, and he picked up Mayor Gage's note. "You went to the Mayor? I take it that he caved with little pressure."

"Yes."

"Typical. Why did you go to him first if I may ask?" His gaze fell on me again.

"I had other business there, and I figured that if I had his backing you might be more amenable."

"Did you come up with the six gold?"

"No."

"Hmm." He sorted through the papers again, before taking up a quill. "Fine. I can sign this."

"Thank you."

Mr. Linsin laughed. "You expected me to be unreasonable didn't you? Perhaps fight you?"

"I have to admit, it's been happening more than I'm used to. Any reason you're agreeing so easily?" My question seemed to amuse him further.

"Simple." He signed the contract and handed it back. "It's a good price, and you've gone to the Mayor already. Plus, this stops Callahan bringing in the other council members. He won't want to rock the boat now. If he was the type, he never would have gotten rid of this lot for The Howlers."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"You sound disapproving of them, The Howlers, I mean."

"They pay like anyone else, but that doesn't mean I have to like them."

"True. Well, thank you for your time sir." I took the documents. "If you ever need mercenary work, please don't hesitate to give us a call."

His smile wasn't genuine. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Please do."

With that, we found ourselves escorted out, and left to our own devices once again. My hands gripped the paperwork, and I looked back at the house.

"Too easy again?" Rita asked, as we walked back to give Callahan the paperwork.

"Yes. But I'll take easy over difficult. Whatever he and Callahan have going on isn't actually our problem until money ends up in our pocket saying that it is."

"Good philosophy money man," Penny cheered, before she slapped my back. "Does that mean we're heading out to Netterville then?"

"As soon as we get our money from Callahan."

"Yay!"

"I have to admit, it will be nice to get on the road again," Sasha admitted. "Though I would like to tell Hester I'll be gone."

"And we should make sure the hut is locked up," Rita spoke softly as we walked, her attention drawn to our constant followers.

"Plus you should tell Jenkins that we're going." Penny slapped my back again. "He'll need to know you won't be there to cook for him."

This time I couldn't hold back a sigh. "So we're going tomorrow then?"

"I think so," Rita agreed. "But that should be fine. If he's hunting for the sea serpent, then he shouldn't be travelling far. Besides, we can give him something better."

"Such as?" I asked.

Rita's smile was faint, but present. "The Tyrant. What else?"

"You want to take a member of the nobility and send them against the Timberaine Tyrant?" The sheer absurdity of the idea made me pause.

"No." Rita shook her head. "But he wants to hunt something big by the sounds of it. There are other small threats in the area. Safer things. Voltspiders and the like. But if we can convince him that there is a chance a legendary sounding monster can turn up? That shouldn't help convince him."

I stared at her, impressed. "That's devious."

"Thank you."

With a shake of my head, we kept walking. The rest of the day was spent talking to who we needed to chat with. Callahan was happy, and handed over his five gold. We stopped in with Reeds, and I listened as he gave me instructions on looking after the horses. Then we returned back to Leyloon. The others stayed with me until I reached Jenkins house, and then they branched off to go do what they needed to do.

Jenkins let me inside, and sunk into his favourite chair as he watched me sit on the couch. He didn't react to what I told him, simply listening until I was done. When I finished, he let out a slight sigh.

"So you'll be back in what? Two weeks at the earliest?"

"Yes, though I'd expect longer," I admitted. "We don't know if we can convince them, or how long it'll take. Do you need anything while we're gone?"

"You're thinking of getting me a souvenir?" He sounded touched.

"As a thank you for everything you've done."

"Hmm. I don't really need anything, boy. When you get to my age, it's simply more stuff to store. But perhaps you can tell me what the ocean is like? I haven't seen it in many years."

"It'll be my first time," I admitted.

"Truely?" he chuckled. "Well, it's quite the sight. Do make sure you enjoy it. Take Rita down. She'll thank you."

"I will," I said.

We talked for a while longer, before we cooked dinner. After checking the horses, I went to bed, and I found myself eager for the trip to come.

***

Penny wasn't alone when she arrived for breakfast. Rita and Sasha, the latter looking rather tired, accompanied her. Jenkins greeted them, as I set the table. Without being asked I grabbed two more plates with a small smile.

"No training today!" Penny cheered as she took a seat.

"Though don't think that will last," Rita added, as she ladled scrambled eggs onto her plate. "We'll keep it up on the road the best we can."

I resisted the urge to sigh. "Yes boss."

We didn't linger over the meal, and soon I was checking the coach and horses for our trip out. Once I was satisfied, I hopped into the drivers seat as the three women headed into the coach itself. From the doors to the stables, Jenkins gave me a small weave.

"Stay out of trouble when you can," he said, voice low.

"We won't!" Penny called out, sticking her head out of the window. "It'll be great."

Jenkins smiled, and waved us out. "Come back at least."

"Of course. You can count on us." Rita spoke confidently, putting on the commanding voice she had used when I had first met her.

It didn't take long for our goodbyes to finish, and we drove along the roads. A few farmers waved, but they didn't call out to us. When we passed through the barrier, I felt the shiver pass over me.

Penny's shout made me twitch as I scanned the trees for potential monsters. "Freedom!"

Sasha chided her, which turned into a fight. I leaned back, not bothering to hold my grin at the fact we were on the road again. The sound of the horses hooves on the dirt road, and having the wind blow across me was nice. The money that sat in my pocket helped, and I reminded myself that I would need to get a new jacket before we met with the Nobles party.

The day's ride didn't contain much in the way of excitement, if one excluded the multiple fights Penny and Sasha had, whenever the last one wasn't napping. It never got loud, and I learned to tune it out, my thoughts turning to what came next. At one point, Rita joined me, and we sat in silence as we drove through the day.

As evening fell we made it to the small town of Creeksbend, so named according to Rita, for the location in which it was built. Even in the dimming light, it was obvious how much deeper the river was here, and I could see large poles sticking up at the mark where the final dock was. There was a boat there already, or maybe a barge? I could never tell the difference.

We passed by an older man carrying a large pole, who stopped lighting the few lamps in town, to watch us pass. By his side, a young boy waved, and Rita waved back causing him to duck his head and his father to laugh. A smile tugged at my lips, but I fought it down.

There was only a single Inn in town, and from the sounds of it, people were already utilising it. When we walked in, heads turned our way, and I looked over the crowd. A mix of men and women, though they all looked like they worked hard and wore the typical flat caps and blue long sleeved jackets that marked them as sailors.

At the sight of the women, the men grinned, and a few of the ladies gave me a side eye. We ignored them, and I walked up to the Innkeeper. He was a blading, lightly dressed man, with a shark tooth earring and the gaze of someone pretending to be slower than he was. I could feel the way he was appraising me, and I knew without a doubt he was going to try and fleece me.

"Four rooms, a bath, dinner, breakfast, and I need to stable the horses," I said, not bothering for politeness.

Behind us a laugh passed amongst the crowd, with a few crude comments being murmured for good measure. Mostly about me being a coward. Beside me, Penny was grinning, but one that showed her teeth. Rita and Sasha stood stone faced, and I followed their lead.

"For the horses? That's fine. Though we have no stable boy at present. As for the rooms we're a bit booked at the moment," The Innkeeper said, his voice smooth and oily. "We have—"

"If you say one room for the four of you, I'm going to shoot you." Penny's smile widened, as her tail flicked.

When I caught her eye, I saw no humour in that expression. She wasn't joking, I realised. If he spoke those words, he was going to get shot. The laughter got louder, as one sailor, a woman I guessed from the voice, called out.

"Good for you love! You get the romantic prick!"

The Innkeeper's smile diminished, but not by much. "No no. We have two rooms. I was simply going to say you'll have to share. Unless of course the gentlemen wishes to sleep in the stables?"

While Penny relaxed, I didn't. My gaze shifted to Sasha, who made a point of stepping towards Penny. I gave Rita a look, who shrugged.

"Two beds?" I asked, my hand playing with the gold coin.

"Of course."

"Not pushed together?"

That last one came from Rita, and I side eye'd her. The Innkeeper grinned.

"No ma'am."

With that, we completed the transaction, and Rita took the others to get food and a table, while I moved out to the stables to deal with the horses. They were fine, thankfully, though I seriously considered getting them new horseshoes when we got to a decent sized town. That done, I returned.

The three sat with a large sailor man, his jacket sitting on the back of the chair showing off a collection of tattoos that moved across his skin. From the tricorn hat on his head, and the way everyone else watched him with a touch of wariness, I felt it safe to assume he was the captain. I took the last chair, and Rita pushed a mug filled with ale to me. It smelled sweet, but tasted fine.

"So you avoided Catswatch?" Rita said without acknowledging me further. "Any reason?"

"They're pier was chained up. Not that we had much for them anyway. Still, it's a shame that it's going to sit on the boat until we get back to Frogspond."

"No trouble on the water?" She asked.

The bigger sailor nodded. "No. It was a quiet trip. We're not dealing with the middle ocean, so no kraken or anything for us. It's why I signed up for this stretch. Simple goods, simple trips. None of my days are spent wandering if I'm going to get drowned this time."

I tapped the table softly to draw his attention. "Chad Burling, it's a pleasure. Do you know what you were carrying for them?"

"Captain Juscar. Not much, it was an emergency shipment. Mostly it was Incense, chalk, and other similar supplies. They must be doing a big ritual at the church."

"How much were they paying you for delivery?"

He frowned. "Six silver for transport. Why?"

"You have change for a gold?" Rita shot me a look, but I waved her down. "We're heading there anyway, and the coach can take it. Would be a shame not to deliver an emergency request because their docks are down."

"You're asking me to place some real trust in you," Captain Juscar said. "Why should I? Who are you?"

"We're a new mercenary company trying to build a name, and some stable income for ourselves. As to why? You said it yourself, those supplies were an emergency request. They've paid you already, so you need to make a delivery."

"That's a reason why hiring you would be useful, but not a reason for me to trust you," he remarked, as he finished off his ale.

"True. I don't have a good reason for you, if I'm being honest. Our credentials are mostly local. But we need the work, and money. That I can promise you is true. You could come with us? Maybe bring a few of your people if you have a coach."

The way he watched me made me sure he was thinking about it. "A day round trip. Can you convince them to open the dock for my crew? Save you having to return me. How much?"

"They were paying you seven for an emergency, correct?" When he nodded I continued. "Say, four silver. Our trip isn't as long as yours, but if they've locked down the dock they might be in trouble. We need to be paid for our time."

"Four silver? Reasonable."

"And one other thing," I added.

He folded his arms and leaned back, the tattoo of a pretty Cathnil on his arm mirroring the gesture. "Which is?"

"A written statement from you that we can do the work. The approval of one known at all our stops would help us with our branding."

After a moment, Captain Juscar reached over and shook my hand. We spent the rest of the night eating, drinking, and listening to his stories. When Rita and I made our way to our room, and collapsed into our separate beds, the awkwardness I was worried about didn't appear.